Cymru topped their UEFA Nations League group after a 4-1 win against Iceland at the Cardiff City Stadium on Tuesday night.
Andri Gudjohnsen gave the away side an early lead in the 7th minute as his low-driven effort beat Danny Ward. However, just after the 30-minute mark, Liam Cullen levelled the game with the striker’s headed effort before handing Cymru a half-time lead with a back-post finish.
Craig Bellamy’s side then extended their lead in the 65th minute after Brendan Johnson’s low-driven effort beat Valdimarsson, with Harry Wilson able to seal the win in the 80th minute with a powerful effort that, coupled with Türkiye’s defeat to Montenegro, means Cymru are promoted to League A of the UEFA Nations League.
As it happened
Iceland started more confidently than Wales and, in the 5th minute, had a brilliant chance through Isak Bergmann Johannesson, but the winger’s effort was well saved by Danny Ward. Three minutes later, Andri Gudjohnsen was found in the six-yard box after a rebounded chance from Orri Oskarsson fell to the forward – and the Gent player made no mistake of burying his effort past Ward to give the away side an early lead.
Craig Bellamy’s side after the goal started to gain control of the game, with Brendan Johnson causing issues for the Iceland defence as they tried to get back into the game.
Liam Cullen then had the home side’s first opportunity of the game in the 22nd minute, but the striker’s effort was easily claimed by Hákon Rafn Valdimarsson. The home side continued to create chances, and in the 32nd minute, a glorious cross from Johnson was headed home by Cullen from close range as he made amends for his earlier miss.
Embed from Getty ImagesIceland had a great chance to seize their lead back, but Gudjohnsen was unable to capitalise on a good move by the away side and seconds later, Cymru won the ball back in the opponent’s half as Johnson was released down the right-hand side, beating his man before unleashing his effort towards goal that was well-saved by Hákon Rafn Valdimarsson.
Cullen then scored his second goal of the game after the striker was found at the back post and tucked his shot past Hákon Rafn Valdimarsson to give Cymru the lead just before half-time, which saw them take a 2-1 into the interval.
The second half started slowly, with both sides unable to impose themselves until the 51st minute when Iceland had two great chances to level up the game; two good saves from Ward denied them certain goals. Eight minutes later, Cymru should have bagged their third as Harry Wilson was released one-on-one with Valdimarsson, but the Fulham midfielder was unable to put his chance away as the Icelandic goalkeeper made a comfortable save.
Johnson then extended the home side’s lead after the Spurs player was played through on goal by Cullen, and the winger buried his chance past Valdimarsson to put the game out of sight of Iceland.
Embed from Getty ImagesAt the 80-minute mark, Wilson sealed the game after the midfielder found space inside the 18-yard box before unleashing a powerful effort past Valdimarsson to give Craig Bellamy’s side a 4-1 lead. Cymru then saw the rest of the game out to claim all three points, beating Iceland 4-1 at the Cardiff City Stadium to confirm promotion to League A of the UEFA Nations League
The lineups
WAL: Ward: James, Cabango, Davies, Rodon, Williams: Wilson, Sheehan: Harris, Cullen, Johnson
ICE: Valdimarsson: Fridriksson, Pálsson, Ingason, Sampsted: Johannesson, Traustason, Thorsteinsson: Gudjohnsen, Oskarsson, Gudmundsson